Monday, March 17, 2008

Mater Lachrymarum

After 30 years, the Three Mothers trilogy is complete. Dario Argento's Mother of Tears arrived today, so Tony and I sat down to watch it tonight.

In all fairness, I was not expecting a film on par with Suspira or Inferno, the first two parts of the Three Mothers trilogy. Those films represent Argento at the top of his form, with amazing visuals supported by the aural majesty of Goblin and Keith Emerson, respectively. Claudio Simonetti (of Goblin fame) is back to score Mother of Tears, and while there are moments where it seems the score is going to break out, it is relatively restrained in comparison to the previous films.

Dario's daughter Asia stars this time out, and as with most of his films, the story is second to the style on display. There are a number of horrific special effects - both practical and a few strategically placed CGI shots - that I have to admit surprised even me, the most jaded of viewers when it comes to onscreen carnage. Definitely not for the squeamish.

All in all, it was an enjoyable ride, and superior to some of Argento's more recent works. I think a Three Mothers movie party is warranted; if that's of interest to folks we'll get that slotted asap.